At Interchange Outer East (IOE) our email signatures display flags as an indication of support and welcome to those Australian people in our community whom have been systemically disadvantaged by the laws of the country, and traditionally by the attitudes and prejudices of others in the community. 

By displaying the flags, it indicates to people that IOE acknowledges the challenges people face in seeking supports and services and is welcoming and willing to work together to meet their individual needs. We choose to recognise and pay respect to Australia’s First Nations people – Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders. We also choose to display three pride flags in order to send a message that at IOE, we strive to build a safe and welcoming environment for all. We do this through education, discussion, planning and policy. We welcome any opportunity to learn from diverse groups about how we can better support them within IOE and into the wider community.

On 14 July 1995, the Governor General of Australia William Hayden proclaimed both the Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag to be Flags of Australia to represent the two distinct different cultures. Displaying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags demonstrates Australia’s recognition of First Nation peoples. It promotes a sense of community partnership and a commitment toward reconciliation.

The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas, a Luritja man from Central Australia. According to Mr Thomas, the meaning of the flag is represented through:

• Black: the Aboriginal peoples of Australia

• Yellow: the Sun, the giver of life and protector

• Red: the red earth, red ochre and a spiritual relationship to the land

The meaning of the Torres Strait Islander flag is represented through:

• Green: the land

• Blue: the sea

• White: peace

• Black: the Torres Strait Islander peoples

At the centre of the Torres Strait Islander flag is a dhari headdress, which represents the people of the Torres Strait Islands. The five pointed star in the middle of the dhari represents the five major island groups, as well as the importance of stars for navigational purposes.

While there are many flags representing the queer and gender diverse communities, IOE chooses to display the Progress Pride Flag.  By displaying this flag, we hope to send a message to all people that acceptance, kindness and inclusion are paramount and that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are welcome and celebrated here.

There are several accepted and official versions of the Pride Flag – also known as the Rainbow Flag. Interchange Outer East chooses to display the progress pride flag.You might recognise the LGBTQIA+Progress Pride flag as having grown in popularity over the past few years. In 2018, the original rainbow flag was updated by graphic designer Daniel Quasar to reflect the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Progress Pride Flag is an eight-stripe version of the rainbow pride flag, with five stripes in a chevron design added to the original rainbow – black and brown stripes to represent people of colour, and pink, blue and white stripes to represent the trans community. (source: idahobit.org.au)